Guide to obtaining textbooks in alternative formats

Digital text benefits a wide range of learners, particularly disabled learners. For those with a visual impairment, it can be magnified or read out loud using synthetic speech. It can be navigated by heading and subheading levels, and text colours and backgrounds can be altered, both useful features for dyslexic learners. Definitions of unfamiliar words can be checked without leaving the text.

When Worlds Collide: Changing Cultures in 21st Century Education

This publication captures the outputs of a JISC infoNet conference held in February 2004 in the Royal York Hotel, York. The event was entitled ‘When Worlds Collide’ because it aimed to explore the cultural differences between the different communities involved in developing and supporting learning environments hence the event was promoted in collaboration with ALT and UCISA. We defined learning environment in the broadest sense to encompass all of the structures, systems and processes that impact on the learning experience. For many this is summed up in the term Managed Learning Environment (MLE) although others favour alternative terminologies. The event was thus unusual in that it brought together people, from learning and teaching, MIS, library, administrative and senior management backgrounds, that don’t often get the opportunity to network with one another.